Over a year ago the Dodgers and Mets were in deep financial distress when Commissioner Bud Selig strong armed Los Angeles owner Frank McCourt into selling the team by first taking financial control?

He did so despite claims McCourt had worked out a regional television deal that might have eased most of the Dodgers’ problems.

The Dodgers were eventually sold to a group that includes Magic Johnson, and yesterday they had the resources to pull off a blockbuster deal with the Boston Red Sox and take on over $250 million in payroll. This, after trading for Hanley Ramirez.

Obviously, the Dodgers have deep pockets.

Today, while watching R.A. Dickey win his 16th game and break the Mets’ latest five-game losing streak, I couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if Selig had treated the Mets’ ownership of Fred Wilpon with the same tenacity he directed at the Dodgers.

If for sale, what could the Mets, with the team, SNY and Citi Field brought on the open market?

If the Mets had deep pockets I wouldn’t have made the trade the Dodgers did because of the players involved.

But, seemingly unrelated resources could have bought other worthy players this team needs. Just wondering.

Thoughts From Joe D.

John, while I agree somewhat, what would the deep pockets mean to a front office that has an aversion to any longterm contracts? His reaction to the Adrian Gonzalez deal, when asked to comment at the time, was to roll his eyes. He almost choked when told about Ryan Zimmerman’s deal and some feared he’d need the Heimlich Maneuver to bring him back.

Deep pockets and new ownership would be great – on that we are agreed.

But philosophies are philosophies regardless of resources. If your whole thing is about exploiting market inefficiencies, it has more to do with saving money and finding hidden value than it does spending money on talent that is proven and worth it.

So yes, while we all would welcome a change in ownership, it must also come with a change in philosophy as well – or in this case a new front office.

One doesn’t work without the other.

It’s no longer a hidden fact that Alderson was brought here to keep the Wilpons entrenched and in power, and on that front, this front office gets high marks and plenty of accolades.

Alderson may have taken a “baby step” as Wright put it as far as advancing the team, but he took one giant leap for mankind as far as advancing the hold the Wilpons have on this franchise.

As for Selig, he’s guilty of aiding and abetting for assigning Alderson to the Mets to see this mission through.

Alderson is a combat vet and knows how to follow orders and see that his missions are successful, and for that he earns the Bronze Star from both Wilpon and Selig.

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 30 years, including 18 in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I also covered the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Indians before that. Today I am a freelance writer and social director for several media outlets and a Senior Editor for Metsmerized Online.

Featured Articles

With Yoenis Cespedes signed and sealed as an early Christmas present for Mets fans, it’s time for Sandy Alderson to turn his attention to the bullpen. Now the 2016 bullpen had its moments. They were sixth in all baseball with a 3.53 ERA, second in saves with 55 and fifth in strike outs with 569. But there were […]

The Los Angeles Dodgers are deep in debt. While this offseason they are scrambling to find a second baseman, third baseman, and a closer, they don’t have the ability to spend as much money as they want. After spending over one billion dollars on players alone from 2013-2016, their exemption from MLB debt rules expires […]

Good morning everyone and I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve had my fill of turkey, pumpkin pie and football, and I’m ready to get back to talking and writing about our New York Mets. For most Met fans, there’s only one thing on everyone’s mind right now and it continues to […]